KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean phrases › Travel, lodging & emergencies › 길을 잃어버렸어요
How to Say “I’m lost” in Korean: 길을 잃어버렸어요
길을 잃어버렸어요
gireul ileobeoryeosseoyo
Meaning
I’m lost. (I lost my way.)
Usage note
This is 잃다 (“lose”) plus -어 버리다 (“end up ~ing”), so 길을 잃어버렸어요 means “I ended up losing my way.” Use it to show you need help.
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
How to pronounce it
In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 길을 | ||
| 길 | ㄱ+ㅣ+ㄹ | [기] gi |
| 을 | ㅇ+ㅡ+ㄹ | [를] reul |
| 잃어버렸어요 | ||
| 잃 | ㅇ+ㅣ+ㅀ | [이] i |
| 어 | ㅇ+ㅓ | [러] reo |
| 버 | ㅂ+ㅓ | beo |
| 렸 | ㄹ+ㅕ+ㅆ | [려] ryeo |
| 어 | ㅇ+ㅓ | [써] sseo |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 길을 → [기를]
- Silent ㅎ: a final ㅎ (including the ㅎ inside ㄶ and ㅀ) is not pronounced before a vowel. 잃어 → [이러]
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Words in this phrase
These words from the TOPIK vocabulary lists appear in the phrase (shown in dictionary form).
| Korean | Part of speech | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 길 | noun | road, way | TOPIK level 1 |
| 잃다 | verb | to lose | TOPIK level 4 |
Phrases that use the same word
Phrases with “잃어버렸어요”
- 지갑을 잃어버렸어요I lost my wallet
- 여권을 잃어버렸어요I lost my passport
Phrases with “길을”
- 길을 잃었어요I’m lost
- 길을 잃어버린 것 같아요I think I’m lost
- 길을 잘못 들어서 한참 돌아왔어요I took a wrong turn and went a long way around
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “길을 잃어버렸어요” mean?
Show the answer
Answer: I’m lost. (I lost my way.)
Question 2 How do you say “I’m lost. (I lost my way.)” in Korean?
Show the answer
Answer: 길을 잃어버렸어요 gireul ileobeoryeosseoyo
Learn this phrase by playing: typing drills and quizzes help it stick.
Practice in the gameMore phrases for this situation
- 몸이 안 좋아요I don’t feel well
- 병원에 가야 해요I need to go to a hospital
- 방을 예약했어요I booked a room
- 에어컨이 안 켜져요The air conditioner won’t turn on
- 방이 너무 추워요The room is too cold
- 방을 바꿀 수 있을까요?Could I change rooms
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